Category: PASSION Reflections

Seven Ways We Must Not Misuse God’s Name

On By BrianIn Ten Commandments1 Comment

The Third Commandment tells us to not take the name of God in vain – to not misuse his name. There are several ways that we can use God’s name in the wrong way, which we must not do:

First, we must not use his name in an oath and then not keep our oath (Leviticus 19:12). In our day that could apply to testifying in court or to our marriage vows before God.

Second, we must not use his name offering praise to him with our lips while our hearts are far from him (Isaiah 29:13). As we praise God’s name, our praise must be true – not just empty words.

Third, we must not put words in God’s mouth (Jeremiah 23:31). We ought not claim that God said something that he did not say. The other day I heard a local radio station tell us that “Jesus says” – and then go on to read from a bestselling book. But Jesus didn’t say those words, and so that is a misuse of his name.

Fourth, we must not use God’s name with contempt – speaking of God with scorn or ridicule or hatred.

Fifth, we must not use God’s name as a swear word. “Oh my God” should be reserved for our prayers, not as an empty utterance.

Sixth, we must not use God’s name in a flippant empty manner. For instance, when we say “God bless you” – do we mean it, or are we just throwing his name around?

Seventh, we must not use God’s name as a joke. Christians like to tell “Christian” jokes, but God must not be the punch line – God’s name is not a joking matter.

All of these ways that we misuse God’s name ought to make clear the positive requirement of the command. We must use God’s name with reverence and awe. He is a great and glorious God, and we must treat him as such. May God help us to honor his name.

9 Reasons to Not Make a Visual Image of God

On By BrianIn Ten Commandments

In the Second Commandment (Exodus 20:4-6), God commands us not to make for ourselves any graven or carved images of God. Why? Here are nine reasons:

First, God is the Creator, and so transcends his creation. Any visual image we could make is created, and could never fully represent the Creator God.

Second, God is Spirit, and so he doesn’t have a physical body. Any visual image we could make would be physical, and so misrepresent God.

Third, God is jealous (v5). God doesn’t want us creating false images of him, any more than a wife wants her husband to create false images of her. We must love God as he is.

Fourth, God is loving (v6). God loves us and we ought to respond by loving Him, not a false image of Him.

Fifth, God is omnipresent. Any image we could make would localize him in a specific place.

Sixth, God is glorious. No image could do justice to his glory, but would rather obscure his glory.

Seventh, God is sovereign. An image can be manipulated, but God cannot.

Eighth, God created us in his image. When we create an image of God, we make him in our image according to our biases. This flips the order of creation upside down.

Ninth, God is holy. When we create false images of God, we will follow those false images, which will inevitably lead us to sin. Or put another way: what we believe about God influences our behavior, and wrong views of God will influence our behavior in the wrong direction.

Human Strength

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah2 Comments

In Isaiah 31, Judah was trusting in Egypt because they were very strong. They had human strength. Still today we are tempted to put our hope in human strength.

We put our hope in political power. We think that if we just get the right people into office, we can fix our country. But what happens when they fail to accomplish what they promised? Human strength can fail. Are we trusting in political power or the one true God?

We put our hope in military power. We think that if we are strong enough, we will be safe. But what happens when terrorists fly planes into buildings? What happens when the strongest military in the world can’t stop fanatical rebel groups? Human strength can fail. Are we trusting in military power or the one true God?

We put our hope in our own effort to build the church. We think that if we can just work hard enough, make the right plans, have the right methods, adopt the latest strategy or program, that our church will really take off. But God is the one who draws people to Himself. God is the one who changes lives. God is the one who brings growth in the Christian life. Are we trusting in our own efforts or in the one true God?

We put our hope in our own strength, our own ability. But human strength will fail. We are often weak. And yet God’s strength is made perfect in our weakness (II Corinthians 12:9). Are we trusting in our own strength or in the one true God?

It is not that political power or military might or our effort or our ability are wrong, but they are the wrong place to put our hope. God calls us to put our hope in Him.

Are you trusting in human strength or in the one true God?

Numbers

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

In Isaiah 31, Judah was trusting in Egypt because they had a large army. They had the numbers to maybe defeat the Assyrians. Still today we are tempted to put our hope in numbers.

We put our hope in polls. We want to be in the majority. But what happens when we find that we are in the minority? Christians quickly are becoming the minority when it comes to Biblical morality. Does that bother us? Are we trusting in numbers or in the one true God?

We put our hope in big numbers. Big churches are impressive. Small churches are, well, just small. And yet throughout the Bible and church history, God often does great things with just a few, or even one. Are we trusting in numbers or in the one true God?

We put our hope in the numbers in our bank account. If the number is big, there is a sense of security. If the number is small, there is a sense of anxiety. And yet God can take care of us regardless of what is in our bank accounts. Are we trusting in numbers or in the one true God?

We put our hope in the number of friends we have – both real and pretend (think Facebook). We can become obsessed with how popular we are. How many people are liking my post? And yet our significance has nothing to do with our popularity. Are we trusting in numbers or in the one true God?

It is not that being in the majority or having a big church or having lots of money or friends is a bad thing. There is nothing wrong with numbers; it is just the wrong place to put our hope. God calls us to find our hope in Him.

Are you trusting in numbers or in the one true God?

Six Reasons to Have No Other Gods

On By BrianIn Idolatry, Ten Commandments

In the First Commandment (Exodus 20:3), God commands us to have no other gods before Him. Why? Here are six reasons not to have other gods:

First, God spoke this command (v1). God Himself commands it – and that should really be enough for us.

Second, God is our God (v2). He has entered into a relationship with us, and we are his people. We ought to show the same allegiance to God that he shows to us.

Third, God saved us (v3). As God saved Israel from slavery to Egypt, so God has saved us from slavery to sin. And we ought to respond with grateful allegiance.

Fourth, God is our Creator (Genesis 1-2). As such we owe our very existence to Him. And so he should be first in our lives.

Fifth, God is the only true God (Psalm 86:10). How foolish for us to exchange fake gods for the one true God. What a horrible slight to God to follow fake gods.

Sixth, God is greater than all the fake gods. He showed Himself greater than the Egyptian gods through the ten plagues. He showed Himself greater than Baal on the mountain in the contest between Elijah and Baal’s prophets. As the one true God he is greater than all fake gods. He can truly help us. He can truly satisfy us. He is greater.

Can you think of other reasons to have no other gods?

Where Is Your Allegiance?

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

In Isaiah 30, Judah had turned away from God. They didn’t want to hear God’s instruction (v9). They didn’t want to be confronted with the Holy One of Israel (v11). They wanted to hear smooth things (v10).

Sounds much like today. People don’t want to hear about God’s commands. They don’t want to think about a Holy God to whom they are accountable. They want to hear smooth things, pleasant words. They want to hear about love. Not a holy love or a real love, but a fawning love, a doting love. They want to think that God is happy with them and just winks at their sin.

What about you? Is there a sin that you are excusing? That you don’t want to be confronted with, convicted of? Is there an area of your life where you have turned away from God? Given your allegiance to sin?

God calls us to return to him (v15). He calls us to repent of our sins and follow Him. He wants us to follow his direction (v21). He wants us to give our full allegiance to Him.

So where is your allegiance today?

Not Enough?

On By BrianIn Idolatry, Ten Commandments

HisLovingLawAnything that comes between God and us that compromises our walk with him is a god to us. We are saying, “You’re not really enough for this situation, Lord. You are not providing for me or protecting me or fulfilling me in the ways that I need, so I am bringing this other god into my life to close the gap between your inadequacy and my needs.”

– Jani Ortlund in His Loving Law, Our Lasting Legacy

Ouch!

Where Is Your Trust?

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah

In Isaiah 30, Judah is trusting in Egypt to save them from the Assyrian army. But Egypt “cannot profit them” (v5). Egypt’s help is “worthless and empty” (v7).

Still today, people trust in empty things. Some trust in other gods. Many trust in their wealth, or their success, or their job, or their health, or their friends, or the government. And yet all of these can fail – prove empty like Egypt.

God called Judah, and he calls us, to trust in Him. He is the “LORD God” (v15) – the one true God. He is the “Holy One” (v15) – beyond us and greater – able to help us. He is the “Holy One of Israel” (v15) – he entered into a relationship with Israel. He cared about them and wanted to help them. And he has entered into a relationship with us and wants to help us.

And so he calls us to rest in Him, to be still before Him, and trust Him (v15). And in this trust we find strength in the midst of the trials and struggles of life (v15). We don’t need to freak out, but rest quietly in Him, looking to Him for what we need.

He calls us to wait expectantly for Him (v18). He calls us to cry out to Him with the assurance that he will answer, and that he will be with us (v19-20). He calls us to listen to Him for guidance through life (v21). He calls us to look to Him in all things – to trust Him.

We can trust in empty things or we can trust in our God. Where is your trust today?

Consider Our Dependence Upon God

On By BrianIn Virtue of Humility

To grow in humility, we need to renew our minds with Biblical truth and train ourselves for godliness.

Nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything. – Acts 17:25 (ESV)

We need to renew our minds by considering our dependence upon God. I am completely dependent upon him for my next breath, my health, and the length of my life. I am completely dependent upon him for success, provision, abilities, and blessings. I cannot exist or accomplish anything on my own.  I am completely dependent upon God. This is a truth that humbles us.

So let’s train ourselves in this truth by praying. As we cry out to God for help, we are acknowledging our dependence upon him. We are expressing our need of assistance from the One who is greater and higher than we are. This is a practice that can humble us.

Pray for God’s help and consider our dependence upon God – and so grow in humility.

Also in this Series

Growing in Humility

Consider Our Smallness Before God

Stir Up Your Heart

On By BrianIn Book of Isaiah, Heart2 Comments

Yesterday we asked the question: where is your heart? Today we want to consider how we can stir up our heart for God. In Isaiah 29, God not only confronts the people with their heartless worship (v13), he goes on to tell them that he is going to a do a great wonder that will baffle the wisdom of men (v14). What is this great wonder? Isaiah never tells us. But Paul does.

In I Corinthians 1:18-19, Paul quotes this verse in reference to the cross. The cross is the great wonder that God would do that would baffle the wisdom of men. At the cross, God in the flesh dies for sinful humanity. At the cross, God’s mercy and judgment meet. At the cross, God shows the full extent of his love for us. And as we meditate on the cross, on his great love for us, our hearts are stirred up to love him in response. As we humbly kneel before the cross we “obtain fresh joy in the Lord” (Isaiah 29:19).

Verse 19 goes on to say that we will “exult in the Holy One of Israel.” He is holy, beyond us, glorious. As we meditate on his greatness, our fear of God transcends the mere command of men. Our fear of God becomes real; our worship becomes real. Our hearts are stirred up by his glory.

So let us draw near to God. Let us meditate on the cross and on his glory, and so stir up our hearts to beat for him.